PETRONAS TEAM TOM'S
All Japan Formula 3 Championship
Season 2009
Most of Japan’s racing lineage has had to come through the rights of passage from the junior entry levels through to the highest levels of racing. The journey for most drivers includes a stint in the All Japan Formula 3 Championship.
This national-level motor-racing championship forms an important part in the chain becoming the junior-level feeder formula using single seater F3 chassis.
The All-Japan Formula 3 Championship finds its roots as the Nippon Formula 3 Association which was formed in 1979. Within two years it had evolved into a major national-level championship organised by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF).
Ranked amongst the other major Formula 3 championships in Europe, the winner of the Japanese series is guaranteed an FIA Super License.
Like its counterparts, competitors in the All Japan F3 Championship have since 2007 used the Italian-made Dallara chassis though other companies like March, Reynard, Martini and Van Diemen have all supplied chassis in the past.
The engines are based on an official four-cylinder with a capacity of 2000cc though limited by a restrictor to a maximum output of 210horsepower. Japan’s three major auto manufacturers are involved in the series in supplying the engines, among them Toyota-TOM’S, Mugen-Honda and Threebond (Nissan). In the past, other manufacturers like Volkswagen, HKS (Mitsubishi), Fiat and Opel were also engine suppliers.
Though Bridgestone, Dunlop and Yokohama have supplied tyres to the championship in the past, in 1988 Bridgestone took over as the sole tyre supplier, a role it assumed until 2008 when Hankook was awarded the contract from 2009.
2008 marked the 30th anniversary of the All Japan Formula 3 Championship and another evolution for the series. Opting to adopt a one-make engine format to help reduce costs, the F3 National Class was formed to make way for the participation of more drivers into the series.
In the 30 years since its inception, the All Japan Formula 3 Championship has attracted competitors from both home and abroad, with some of these drivers progressing on to higher levels of single-seater racing. Boasting an alumni list that includes names like Takuma Sato and Kazuki Nakajima, previous Japanese F3 champions have also gone on to chart success in other racing categories including the Super GT.
2009 All Japan Formula 3 Championship*
Team: PETRONAS TEAM TOM’S
Drivers: Marcus Ericsson (#1), Takuto Iguchi (#36), Yuji Kunimoto (#37)
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Round
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Date
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Venue
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1
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3rd – 5th April
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Fuji Speedway
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2
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24th – 26th April
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Okayama International Circuit
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3
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15th – 17th May
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Suzuka International Circuit
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4
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26th – 28th June
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Fuji Speedway
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5
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10th – 12th July
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Suzuka International Circuit
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6
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7th – 9th August
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Twin Ring Motegi
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7
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28th – 30th August
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Autopolis
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8
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25th – 27th September
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Sportsland Sugo
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9
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20th – 22nd November
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Guia Circuit (MACAU)**
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* Subject to change. All races take place in Japan, unless otherwise stated.
** Round is part of the Macau Grand Prix
Related:
PETRONAS TEAM TOM'S
Drivers:
- Marcus Ericsson (SWE)
- Takuto Iguchi (JPN)
- Yuji Kunimoto (JPN)